The significance of the puppet lies principally in its design and fabrication, being the work of leading Sydney artist/designer Bim Hilder.

Puppets were made by artist/designer Bim Hilder in 1940s, and the costumes were repaired and replaced by his wife as necessary, over four decades

Bim Hilder made the puppets in the 1940s, but their costumes have been repaired and replaced by his wife, as necessary, over the four decades of their use.

Bim Hilder put on puppet shows for the childern, in Castlecrag form 1940s to 1970s

Glove puppet, 'The Clown', wood / cloth, Vernon Arthur (Bim) Hilder, Castlecrag, New South Wales, Australia, c. 1940

Glove puppet, 'The Clown', handcarved wooden head and hands, head hollowed at the base to allow the insertion of one finger, it has naturalistic, carved facial features, painted white, decorated with red triangles, white painted buttons have been nailed on for eyes. The 'Clown' wears a smock of cotton fabric with a geometric pattern printed in purple, white, blue, orange, yellow, red and brown, around the neck is a white ruffled collar with red bias binding edging. The hands are unpainted and the fingers are carved out.

Designed: Hilder, Vernon Arthur (Bim); Castlecrag, New South Wales; 1935 - 1945

Made: Hilder, Vernon Arthur (Bim); Castlecrag, New South Wales; 1935 - 1945


Used: Hilder, Vernon Arthur (Bim); Castlecrag, New South Wales; 1940 - 1970

Owned: Hilder, Vernon Arthur (Bim); Castlecrag, New South Wales; 1940 - 1970

No marks

93/157/10

1935 - 1945

357 mm

275 mm

115 mm